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EAST ROCHESTER VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT--125 YEARS OF SERVICE
EAST ROCHESTER VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT--125 YEARS OF SERVICE

EAST ROCHESTER VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT--125 YEARS OF SERVICE

Submitted July 2023 by Anita M. Mance, Historian

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On May 23, 1898, a group of businessmen from Despatch (as East Rochester was known until 1906) met at Branshaud’s Hall on East Commercial Street to set up the first fire department.  On May 29th, the first official meeting was held, and the Despatch Fire District was formed.  During subsequent meetings committees were formed to find estimates for needed equipment, as well as for property and a fire hall.  It was determined that $1800.00 was the amount needed to outfit this first department.  Equipment included:  one dozen rubber coats, boots, and helmets, a...
SEPTEMBER 1952—THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR ST. JEROME’S SEPTEMBER 1952—THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR ST. JEROME’S

SEPTEMBER 1952—THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR ST. JEROME’S

Submitted by Anita M. Mance, Historian

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The first day of the school year is always a special time.  The first day in a new school is doubly special.  And so, it was for St. Jerome’s School on September 3, 1952.

East Rochester's First Fire Truck

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Originally the equipment used in firefighting was a hand drawn hose cart and ladder wagon. In 1925 it was decided that the village needed a real fire truck not a commercial truck converted to one.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF EAST ROCHESTER

0 1923

East Rochester was originally called Despatch because of its proximity to the railroad. The word came from the name of the first major company to locate here, the Merchants Despatch Transportation Company, most often referred to as the Carshops. ...